Chris Gibson tries to find nuance on Park51

Earlier today, CNN’s Political Ticker posted a story by Peter Hamby noting that House Republican leader John Boehner is planning to host a fundraiser for 20th CD Congressional candidate Chris Gibson. (It’s Friday in Saratoga Springs.) Hamby reported that Gibson had posted a Facebook comment that seemed to include several of the points that President Obama made on the subject of the Park51 project on Friday — that freedom of religion is a primary American protection and all religions must be treated equally.

Here’s Gibson’s full statement, which was included in a long string of comments on a variety of issues:

Mosque near Ground Zero. Let me begin by saying that I understand Islamic extremism. I have seen it up close and personal. I have seen firsthand the nefarious acts of Al Qaeda — killing innocent people to intimidate a population. Despicable and inhuman. And I have lost Paratroopers to these evil forces, had other Paratroopers grievously wounded, and been wounded myself by terrorists. I believe we must win this war against Al Qaeda, our sworn enemy who is bent on destroying civilization as we know it. I have published op-eds on this topic in the Register Star and NY Post. That being said, I also believe deeply in America and our sacred ideals; freedom and equal protection under the law. Law abiding American Muslims are friends and good citizens and we must honor their right to practice their religion. Freedom of religion, along with all of our other freedoms. Clearly emotions run high in the vicinity of Ground Zero and we will never forget what happened on that fateful day — 11 September 2001 — and we will always remember those loved ones we lost. But in the effort to save America we should never violate her. In my view any attempt to single out Islam would be a violation of the Constitution. Given the emotion associated with this sacred ground, it may be best to zone this land as either commercial or state park. But in my view, as it relates to religious buildings in the vicinity of Ground Zero, it’s either all or nothing — churches, synagogues and mosques should be treated the same.

Hamby quoted from the posting but left out Gibson’s zoning idea — which, in any case, is a bit of a moot point since the mosque is allowed under current zoning, and changing that status now would almost certainly be seen as a violation of federal law against using permitting or zoning to block the construction of a specific house of worship.

Hamby also noted that the comments had been zotzed out of Gibson’s Facebook page — due, his campaign said, to offensive comments that it had prompted. (Trust me, I know what they’re talking about on the subject of offensive comments prompted by anything having to do with Park51.) The campaign provided me with the full text of the deleted comment.

The campaign released this statement in response:

Statement by Chris Gibson regarding an attempt by political opponents to distort his stance that there should Not be a Mosque near Ground Zero

“As someone who wore our nation’s uniform and helped fight against those who share the extremist views of our attackers on that fateful day, I am disappointed political operatives would distort my words on the matter of how we best honor the victims of the 9-11 attacks.

“My prior statements clearly noted that building a mosque is not a good idea. In fact, the posting via my Facebook page said, ‘Given the emotion associated with this sacred ground, it may be best to zone this land either commercial or state park.’ I later added that a better idea would be to construct a building that honors all those who lost their lives on 9-11 and celebrates all religions and mankind’s hope for peace.

“I do not support the construction of a mosque and have always felt it’s neither the time nor place for it.”

Hamby — who is a reporter, not a political operative — subsequently updated his story with the zoning idea added.

People of good will can debate whether or not Gibson’s second statement amps up his objection to the mosque a bit over the first. “It may be best to zone this land either commercial or state park” isn’t exactly “I do not support the construction of a mosque and have always felt it’s neither the time nor place for it.”

But to end this post on an up note, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which is being built not near but on the former site of the World Trade Center, will do just what Gibson is suggesting.